Q: Can there be Installation Problems?
Q: Is there an EZ-Architecture Manual?
Q: When I try to install EZ-Architect I get a failure notice and then the installation quits. How do I fix this?
Q: I've purchased the registration key to unlock the demo. When I attempt to use it the program takes me to the shopping cart and wants me to pay for another unlock key. What's going on?
Q: I have a lot of drawings that I created with the original Design Your Own Home Architect program. Will EZ-Architect allow me to open those and work with them?

Q: Can there be Installation Problems?

A: Some installations of Windows XP/Vista lack certain files that are required to install EZ-Architecture. You will find these files at Microsoft's website. You may not need these files. But if you start the installation of EZ-Architecture and get an error message, please go to this Microsoft page:

At the page review any information that interests you and then click the Continue button. At the next page follow the instructions and go through the steps on the next pages to install the file. After you do this, EZ-Architecture will install correctly.

Q: Is there an EZ-Architecture Manual?

A: You will find the manual for the software in the program's Help menu. In order to view the manual you will need Adobe Reader which you can download for free here.

You can also view the same manual with Adobe Reader by going to the EZ-Architecture folder in your Program Files directory by double-clicking manual.pdf.

Q: When I try to install EZ-Architect I get a failure notice and then the installation quits. How do I fix this?

A: This problem may be due to the version of Windows Installer that is on your system. Sometimes the error message will tell you that the problem could be because you are either running Windows in safe mode or that the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. First, go to Microsoft's web site and download the Installer program. After you've done this click on your Start menu and go to your Control Panel. Click on Add/Remove Programs. Select the Windows Installer and un-install it. After you've done this, restart your system and then install the new Installer that you just downloaded. After you've installed it you will need to restart your system again. Once you're up and running you should be able to install EZ-Architect without any further problems.

Q: I've purchased the registration key to unlock the demo. When I attempt to use it the program takes me to the shopping cart and wants me to pay for another unlock key. What's going on?

A: This is happening because you clicked on Upgrade under the Help menu instead of Enter Serial Number. The upgrade function is only for those who have not purchased the unlock key and wish to do so. If you already have the key, clicking on the Enter Serial Number option will allow you to enter the key and unlock the demo.

Q: I have a lot of drawings that I created with the original Design Your Own Home Architect program. Will EZ-Architect allow me to open those and work with them?

A: The short answer is YES!! There is an import feature under the File menu that will allow you to bring in files that were created with Design Your Own Home Architecture. Once imported you will be able to work with them and make any necessary modifications.

The long answer is that, due to some complex technical issues, everything will not import perfectly. Here's how the manual discusses the Import issue:

Import

Use this option to import files you created with the Abracadata Design Your Own Home Architecture program. (file extension .aig). Your files will not import perfectly, but we have devised some tricks to assist you in importing plans that you'll be able to work with in Ez-Architect.

1. First print your Design Your Own Home: Architecture plan from the Design Your Own Home: Architecture program so you have it for reference.
2. You need to Import into layer 1, NOT the base layer. To do this:
3. Click on the �1� button that's just below the word File on the navigation menu. This will enable you to import to Layer 1. Be sure that no other layer numbers are selected.
4. You can import into the Base layer, but we don't recommend it as several functions won't work properly: e.g., the bring to front/send to back functions. If you import to the Base layer and you realize after doing it that you're having problems with some of the program's functions, do this:

1. Do Ctrl+A to select everything on the base layer.
2. Then Ctrl+X to cut every object.
3. Click on the �1� for layer one.
4. Then Ctrl+V to paste all of your objects into level 1. They will all be selected. Leave them that way.
5. Immediately drag all these selected objects up and to the left about 20 pixels as the paste function will move everything down and to the right about 20 pixels from where they were on your original plan. Unselect all objects. Save.

Working With Imported Abracadata Plans, you may see the following anomalies:

missing or partial text
missing walls
missing objects

If you see that there are missing text, walls, objects, etc., use your printout to make your corrections. The import function ain't perfect. Sorry. Sometimes if you widen a text box you'll find the missing text. When you review your text objects, you may see that there are tiny squares instead of spaces; just edit the text and replace the squares with spaces.